WHEN police were called out a second time in the same night to a woman who was in a Chard street shouting abuse they were met with a “volatile and ugly situation”.

Officers became concerned for the welfare of Jodie Richards who had got herself into a terrible state and began to self harm after her fed-up neighbours had called 999.

When the defendant, of Alun Rees Way, Chard, was due to appear before Somerset Magistrates to stand trial she changed her plea to guilty to an offence of using threatening, abusive or insulting words or behaviour causing others harassment, alarm or distress.

Prosecutor Julyan Stephens said that on July 1 the police were called to Alun Rees Way in Chard after reports of a disturbance and were then called again shortly before midnight.

He said: “There was shouting coming from the defendant’s house and the neighbours were aggrieved at the noise, and sick and fed up of the shouting coming from inside and in the street.

“It was a volatile and ugly situation and when the police attended the address Richards was in a bit of a state and they became concerned for her welfare.

“She received medical treatment, however she accepts shouting in the street which was not acceptable and it didn’t really help the situation.”

Defending solicitor Neil Priest said that Richards was very anxious about the court case and had been very stressed as a result.

“Whatever happened that evening, she ended up in a situation of extreme distress and started self harming,” he said.

“Certain neighbours had been goading her and getting in her face and she accepts she was shouting, and some of it was inappropriate.”

The magistrates imposed a six month conditional discharge on Richards and also ordered her to pay £40 costs and a £20 victim surcharge.